Developed by ACT, COMPASS was designed to help students entering two-year colleges succeed in their educational goals. The main purpose is to identify your present academic strengths and needs in the areas of writing, reading, and math.
Scheduling An Appointment
After submitting your application to the Admissions Office, you should contact Testing Services to schedule a appointment to test. Appointments are scheduled at the campus where you plan to test. If you have qualifying SAT, ACT or ASSET scores the COMPASS test is not required.
Main Campus - (843) 574-6410 - Building 410/Room 202
Palmer Campus - (843) 722-5516 - Room 226
Berkeley Campus - (843) 899-8079 - Room 178
A valid picture ID (e.g., School ID, Driver's License, Passport, Military) and your Social Security Number are required when testing. Testing Services will provide scratch paper, a pencil and a hand-held calculator for testing.
The tests are not timed. Students usually take about two hours to complete the entire test. You will receive a copy of your COMPASS scores immediately after testing.
COMPASS is user-friendly and is designed for individuals with little computer experience. You will use a computer mouse to select your responses as you move through the different sections of the test. The test is not timed.
COMPASS Writing allows the student to find and correct errors in essays. Test items include: grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
COMPASS Reading consists of several reading passages. Questions are asked concerning the content of the reading material. The items are multiple-choice. The passages are displayed on one side of the screen and the test questions with answer choices are displayed on the other side.
COMPASS Math covers a variety of items from pre-algebra to advanced mathematics. Test items include: averages, decimals, fractions, percentages, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, word problems, and algebra. The items are multiple-choice. An online calculator is available.
Test Preparation
It is important to take the test seriously. Your test results will be used to place you in the appropriate classes for your skill level. It will be to your advantage to be accurately placed in the highest level course possible. A GED Study Guide may be used to prepare. Additional information can be found online at the following websites:
COMPASS sample questions http://www.act.org/compass
Reading & Writing http://college.hmco.com/devenglish/students
Math http://college.hmco.com/mathematics
TTC's Continuing Education offers a one-day noncredit placement test refresher class.
Contact (843) 574-6655 for additional information or (843) 574-6152 to register.
Test Scores
The COMPASS test was developed to assist with academic advising. The test results will help your Advisor to determine where you should begin your academic coursework. Your scores indicate your academic strengths and weaknesses in relation to college-level work. TTC offers developmental courses in math, reading, and writing skills.
After Testing
Orientation will provide information concerning test scores and will assign you an Academic Advisor. COMPASS is not a pass/fail test; however, some academic programs of study have set mandatory scores for program admission. Testing Services does not interpret test scores.
Special Accommodations
If you require a disability-related testing accommodation, contact Services For Students With Disabilities at (843) 574-6131 prior to taking the test.
